ENGINE 101 PART 2: Engine Basics for Dummies

Now that you know all of the basic parts of an engine and what they do, it’s time to understand how they work together in a system. Almost all cars use 4- stroke engines to turn the chemical energy of gasoline into power. Manipulation of the 4-stroke cycle is essential […]

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ENGINE 101 PART 1: Engine Basics for Dummies

DO YOU FIND THAT YOU’RE ADDICTED to the thrill and speed of driving fast, but don’t know the first thing about what’s actually going on under the hood? Do you want to know more about what’s happening without having to attend Auto Shop 101? Are you intimidated by the tech […]

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AVO Turboworld FR-S / BRZ Turbo System

There are few (if any) naturally-aspirated vehicles on the road that wouldn’t benefit from forced induction for increased output. This is particularly true of vehicles with plenty of potential right from the factory. With neutral and predictable handling, a low center of gravity that rivals all but the most exotic […]

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Speed Shop – Wastegates: Getting Wasted

Wastegates are the mechanical devices that keep your turbocharged engine in check. Based on the strength of the pressure signal it receives, a wastegate lifts its valve to relieve exhaust flow away from the turbine inlet of the turbocharger. This allows a wastegated turbocharger system to set a target boost […]

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Flex-Hone for Brake Rotors

Dingleberry hone, ball hone, glaze buster or bead brush. Whatever nickname you might have for the tool, the original Flex-Hone was designed in 1972 to refinish cylinder walls in automotive applications. Used by machine shops, do-it-yourselfers and just about everyone in between, the Flex-Hone tool allows users to achieve a […]

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Mountune MP275 Power Package for Ford Focus ST

For most of us in the tuning market, warranty claims become a huge hassle when the dealer denies service based on modifications. Although some dealers are “mod-friendly”, service managers come and go and usually the hook-ups don’t last long. In the aftermarket world, tuning companies looking to offer a factory […]

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Science of Performance Spark Plugs

Today’s performance spark plugs perform feats never before attempted by spark plugs of years past. Factory engines and race engines are pushing more horsepower per liter than ever before thanks in part to forced induction and direct injection. Both of these technologies put an additional stress on the engine’s ignition […]

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Nano Paint Protection

Prudence demands that you protect your investments. When that investment is your vehicle’s paint, it’s easy to see how difficult it is to defend. Rock chips, oxidation, ultraviolet light, bird droppings, sap, tar, brake dust…the list is long and harrowing. Fortunately, paint-protection technology has come a long way. Prior to […]

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Science of Boost, Part 1: Solenoids

Like cayenne pepper on a mushroom risotto, boost pressure is the seasoning in a serving of turbocharged performance. Too little boost hampers performance and produces a bland dish, while too much boost, like too much seasoning, kills your engine and puts you back in the kitchen to start all over. […]

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Final Results

THE NUMBERS GAME When we arrange all of the tested camshafts by the actual measured intake duration at 1mm, an interesting trend is revealed. The trend is that every manufacturer has a different method of computing its”advertised” duration of the camshaft. As a result, not all camshafts advertised as “264” […]

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TOMEI POWERED 290

MANUFACTURER: TOMEI POWERED ENGINE MODEL: 4G63 EVO 8 CAMSHAFT PN# (INTAKE): 1454290115 CAMSHAFT PN# (EXHAUST):1455290115 SPEC CARD# : GSC-6008S3 INTAKE EXHAUST CAM TIMING EVENTS Centerline 110° 115° Valve Opening @ 1.0mm 6.1° BTDC 59.7° BBDC Valve Opening @ 0.050″ 2.53° BTDC 56.1° BBDC Valve Closing @ 1.0mm 55.8° ABDC 0.7° ATDC Valve Closing […]

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